Tough Art Exhibition Opens

Since 2007, the museum’s “Tough Art” series has allowed guests to interact directly with works on display. The museum invites artists from diverse disciplines and media to create new pieces, refining their processes while gaining exposure to new audiences. The current batch of artists spent the summer developing concepts and building prototypes of large-scale works that invite hands-on participation while standing up to their most difficult critics: energetic kids.

“Our visitors expect to be able to interact with everything in our museum,” she says. “The ‘Tough Art’ residency works with artists to make their artwork tough enough to withstand the wear and tear of children.”

Minnesota-based artist Megan Flød Johnson became interested in the residency program because of its emphasis on experimentation through all stages of the creative process. Her project, “The Nest,” is an evolving installation based on the premise that a mysterious beast inhabits the museum. Children can change the shape of the nest—built of aluminum rigging and rainbow ropes—and layer materials onto it as the creature’s story unfolds. Facilitator-performers help them choose how to participate, whether by building the nest or drawing a map tracing the monster’s origins.

“It heightens emotions to have a character ask for your help in their important work of creating a home for a giant beast,” says Johnson, who has designed art experiences for young people for eight years. “By participating, they become characters in the story themselves.”

In fact, visitor engagement—with art and each other—is a common thread woven throughout the “Tough Art” exhibit.

For example, “Drawn Together” by Robert “Zach” Zacharias encourages healthy social interaction among strangers through a digital collaborative drawing.

Kids experiment with a prototype of “Urchin Searchin Sound.

“Urchin Searchin Sound” by Pittsburgh artists H. Gene Thompson and Arvid Tomayko is a large-scale, touch-reactive sound cave that allows guests to connect through their exploration of tactile, soft sculptures.